We will add a brief introduction here about the LSTA project with a link to all the lessons.
Subject and Grade Level: Living Environment 9th grade
Objectives: Curriculum Goals: 1. To familiarize students with the use of stem cells. 2. To investigate the benefits and controversies of embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells.
Media Literacy Goals: 1. To evaluate the credibility of information from different sources. 2. To appreciate multiple perspectives of a controversial topic. 3. To create a Prezi presentation based on their understanding of stem cell research.
Vocabulary: Induced pluripotent, in vitro fertilization
Materials: Urban Legends PowerPoint from project Look Sharp
My Sister's Keeper clips: We showed scene three (3) in which the main character, Anna, goes and meets a lawyer to see if he will represent her in a case. She would like to sue for medical emancipation from her parents. She proceeds to explain how she was a 'designer baby,' conceived to be "spare parts" for her older sister who has Leukemia. We also used scene (5). This is a flashback to when Anna's parents first find out that their older daughter has Leukemia. Their oncologist suggests that they might want to conceive another child who could donate stem cells and bone morrow for their sick daughter. We used these scenes to show the viewpoint of a stakeholder in the stem cell debate.
Lesson Steps: Lesson 1: Fact or Fiction? Lesson from Project Look Sharp (2 class periods) · Living Environment students will collect data by surveying the class on 7 different urban legends · Discuss how sources of information such as the media may influence us. · Discuss how to evaluate the credibility of media by critical thinking and research. · Fact or Fiction? Checklist on stem cell research. · Students are assigned one item from the checklist to research in the library.
Students will be given a political cartoon concerning stem cells to analyze and decode.
Class discussion on the messages given in the cartoons and how different people may interpret them.
Lesson 4: Movie Clips (3-4 class periods)
Watch “My Sister’s Keeper” clip; decode
Watch “Independent Lens: Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita”; decode
Lesson 5: Prezi Presentations (3-4 class periods)
Students will be placed into 1 of the following stakeholder groups:
spinal cord injury patient
stem cell researcher
religious organization
a couple with leftover embryos from in vitro fertilization
Each group will build a Prezi together that defines what a stem cell is, their stakeholder’s stand on the use of stem cells, and must consider both the scientific and ethical issues of stem cells.
Prezi’s will be shown in class while other members write down what good points were made, what they disagree with, and what they would like to know more about.
Additional Resources/Background Information: Discussion Guide for Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita <http:www.pbs.org/independentlens/stemcells> (includes additonal web resources for scientific research, government websites and religious perspectives)
Authors: Stephanie Weaver and Roberta Palmiotto
School: Union Springs High School
We will add a brief introduction here about the LSTA project with a link to all the lessons.
Subject and Grade Level: Living Environment 9th grade
Objectives:
Curriculum Goals:
1. To familiarize students with the use of stem cells.
2. To investigate the benefits and controversies of embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells.
Media Literacy Goals:
1. To evaluate the credibility of information from different sources.
2. To appreciate multiple perspectives of a controversial topic.
3. To create a Prezi presentation based on their understanding of stem cell research.
Vocabulary: Induced pluripotent, in vitro fertilization
Materials:
Urban Legends PowerPoint from project Look Sharp
Stem Cell Fact or Fiction worksheet
Background Research on Stem Cells worksheet
Stem Cell Research and Ethical Perspectives worksheet
De-coding Political Cartoons worksheet
Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incongnita documentary
Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incongnita De-coding worksheet
My Sister's Keeper clips:
We showed scene three (3) in which the main character, Anna, goes and meets a lawyer to see if he will represent her in a case. She would like to sue for medical emancipation from her parents. She proceeds to explain how she was a 'designer baby,' conceived to be "spare parts" for her older sister who has Leukemia. We also used scene (5). This is a flashback to when Anna's parents first find out that their older daughter has Leukemia. Their oncologist suggests that they might want to conceive another child who could donate stem cells and bone morrow for their sick daughter. We used these scenes to show the viewpoint of a stakeholder in the stem cell debate.
Prezi flow chart
Time Needed: 2 weeks
Lesson Steps:
Lesson 1: Fact or Fiction? Lesson from Project Look Sharp (2 class periods)
· Living Environment students will collect data by surveying the class on 7 different urban legends
· Discuss how sources of information such as the media may influence us.
· Discuss how to evaluate the credibility of media by critical thinking and research.
· Fact or Fiction? Checklist on stem cell research.
· Students are assigned one item from the checklist to research in the library.
Lesson 2: Background Research on Stem Cells (3-4 class periods)
· Students will investigate and decode the information and potential bias found in 1 of the following websites. Groups will present their findings to the rest of the class.
1. http://stemcells.nih.gov
2. http://stemcellresearch.org
3. http://www.religioustolerance.org
· Students will individually investigate 2 stem cell research websites and 2 religious/ethical perspectives listed on the following website. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/stemcell/more.html
Lesson 3: Political Cartoons (30 minutes)
Lesson 4: Movie Clips (3-4 class periods)
Lesson 5: Prezi Presentations (3-4 class periods)
Additional Resources/Background Information:
Discussion Guide for Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita <http:www.pbs.org/independentlens/stemcells> (includes additonal web resources for scientific research, government websites and religious perspectives)
1. This website lists websites on stem cell research and the religious/ethical perspective.http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/stemcell/more.html
2. Discussion guide that introduces the Independent Lens video and provides additional websites for research.http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/stemcell/resources/stemcell_discussion.pdf
3. This website contains many political cartoons on stem cell research.http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/bysubject/subject.php?sid=1072
Email contact: rpalmiotto@unionspringscsd.org; steweaver@unionspringscsd.org
For additional free online lessons integrating media literacy and critical thinking into the curriculum, go to www.projectlooksharp.org